The Primal Shift 118: The blood pressure number your doctor ignores with Craig Cooper CEO of CONNEQT
For years, my blood pressure readings at routine checkups came back higher than I expected, even though I train hard, sleep well, and pay close attention to recovery.
I wasn't hypertensive, but those numbers never matched how I actually felt — and the rushed way they were taken didn't inspire confidence.
After all, when a measurement happens over a sweater, with no rest period, and within seconds of walking through the door, it's hard to trust the result.
That disconnect is what led me to today's guest, Craig Cooper. Craig is the CEO of CardieX, the company behind the Conneqt blood pressure monitor, and he's spent decades in cardiovascular technology — including bringing hospital-grade central blood pressure measurements into clinical trials and specialist practices.
His perspective matters because he understands what's happening in the arteries closest to the heart, not just what a quick cuff at the arm can capture.
When I started using Conneqt at home, things finally made sense. My central blood pressure — the pressure that actually reflects what the heart and major vessels are experiencing — was lower and healthier than my brachial readings suggested.
The numbers aligned with my calcium scan, my fitness level, and how I feel day to day. It showed me that the "elevated" arm readings weren't a sign of a problem; they were a sign of poor measurement.
From there, Craig and I zoom out into the bigger question: what does it look like to take ownership of your cardiovascular health without disappearing into gadget culture or depending on outdated tools in the medical system?
His view is refreshingly grounded: better data helps, but only when it sits on top of simple habits — moving more, building strength, managing stress, and paying attention to long-term trends instead of one-off numbers.
This episode isn't about turning yourself into a cardiologist. It's about getting a clearer picture of what your blood pressure actually represents, why the right measurement matters, and how a small shift in awareness can keep you ahead of problems instead of reacting once they've already shown up.
About Craig Cooper: Craig Cooper, CEO of CardieX, the company behind the Conneqt blood pressure monitor and a longtime health-tech entrepreneur. He focuses on bringing clinical-grade cardiovascular monitoring—like central blood pressure and arterial stiffness tracking—to everyday consumers. His mission is simple: make advanced heart-health insights accessible at home. Website: conneqthealth.com
Learn more: 👉 Get the Conneqt Pulse monitor — the device I use to track central blood pressure and arterial stiffness: https://michaelkummer.com/go/conneqt
What It Means to Be Metabolically Healthy: https://michaelkummer.com/metabolic-health/
110: Why Your Blood Pressure Reading Might Be Totally Wrong: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/110-why-your-blood-pressure-reading-might-be-totally-wrong/
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, OneSkin!
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In this episode: 00:00 Intro
00:56 The importance of blood pressure monitoring
03:10 Challenges with traditional blood pressure readings
04:36 Innovations in blood pressure technology
10:26 Using the new blood pressure device
21:04 The future of healthcare and self-monitoring
25:53 Self-diagnosis and medical education gaps
27:06 Trust issues in medical advice
28:57 Affordability and accessibility in health
31:04 Back to basics: Simple health practices
34:44 Longevity trends and personal health
39:11 Introduction to the CONNEQT device
42:14 Conclusion and final thoughts
Find me on social media for more health and wellness content:
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Website: https://michaelkummer.com/
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Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82
[Medical Disclaimer]
The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.
[Affiliate Disclaimer]
I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.
#Conneqt #CardiovascularHealth